Archive · 31 Jan 2026
YSRCP Protests Land Regularisation for GITAM University
In Visakhapatnam, there was a big argument in a meeting about giving a large piece of land to a university.
The YSRCP and other opposition parties say the land was taken illegally and they don't want it to be given to the university.
They protested and even tried to stop the meeting.
The people in charge of the meeting say they followed the rules.
The YSRCP and others are very upset and say they will keep protesting until the decision is changed.
The police had to step in to control the situation.
YSRCP and opposition parties protested the regularisation of 54.79 acres of government land for GITAM University in Visakhapatnam.
The land is valued at nearly Rs 5,000 crore, and the YSRCP alleges it was encroached upon.
YSRCP leaders claim the current government is trying to benefit the university, whose president is related to IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
The GVMC council meeting turned stormy, with YSRCP corporators staging a protest and surrounding the Mayor’s podium.
Despite the protests, the GVMC council approved the regularisation of the land, leading to further outrage from the opposition parties.
- Who
- YSRCP leaders, opposition parties, GVMC council members, and police
- What
- Protests and heated arguments over the regularisation of 54.79 acres of government land for GITAM University
- When
- January 30, during the GVMC council meeting
- Where
- Visakhapatnam, near the GVMC office and council hall
- Why
- YSRCP and opposition parties allege that the land was encroached upon and the regularisation is undemocratic, while the ruling party and GVMC maintain that the proceedings were conducted as per rules.
YSRCP and Opposition Parties
Ruling Party and GVMC
Land Encroachment
YSRCP and Opposition Parties
The land was encroached upon by GITAM University and should not be regularised.
Ruling Party and GVMC
The GVMC council approved the regularisation as per the rules and procedures.
Media Access
YSRCP and Opposition Parties
The denial of media entry to the council hall was an attempt to muzzle the voice of the media and the people.
Ruling Party and GVMC
The GVMC did not allow media into the council hall to maintain order during the tense situation.
- Land Area
- 54.79 acres
- Land Value
- Rs 5,000 crore
- University Involved
- GITAM Deemed to be University
- Protest Location
- Visakhapatnam, near GVMC office
- Protest Date
- January 30
- Government Body
- GVMC (Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation)
- Key Protesters
- Botcha Satyanarayana (YSRCP MLC), Varudhu Kalyani (YSRCP MLC), Kurasala Kannababu (former Minister), KK Raju (YSRCP district president)
- Related Minister
- Nara Lokesh (IT Minister)
